IT'S THE ASEAN 9!

[darnott@xxxxxxxxxxx]

           STATEMENT ISSUED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE 
          SPECIAL MEETING OF ASEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS, 
                   KUALA LUMPUR, 10 JULY 1997
 
 
Recalling and reiterating the Joint Statement of the ASEAN
foreign Ministers issued by the Chairman of the ASEAN Standing
Committee on 8th July 1997, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers met on
10th July 1997 in Kuala Lumpur to review the situation in
Cambodia in all its aspects.
 
 
2.   While reaffirming the commitment to the principles of
non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, they
decided that, in the light of unfortunate circumstances which
have resulted from the use of force, the wisest course of
action is to delay the admission of Cambodia into ASEAN until
a later date.
 
3.   The Foreign Ministers also recalled the decision taken by
the ASEAN Heads of State/Government at the 5th Summit in
Bangkok in December 1995, on the inclusion of Cambodia, Laos
and Myanmar as full members of ASEAN.  Pursuant to the
decision taken by the Special Meeting of the ASEAN Foreign
Ministers on 31st May 1997, in Kuala Lumpur, they agreed that
the admission of Laos and Myanmar will proceed as scheduled.
 
4.   The ASEAN countries stand ready to contribute their
efforts to the peaceful resolution of the situation in
Cambodia.
 
Kuala Lumpur
10th July 1997
 
 
[IT'S THE ASEAN 9!  THE OLD MAN MUST BE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE
AVOIDED INCORPORATION IN THE INAUSPICIOUS ASEAN 10. - DA]